Apparatus and method for aligning packages
An apparatus and a method for aligning a package are proposed, wherein the apparatus comprises the following: a vacuum chamber ( 32 ) in which a vacuum is created such that a package ( 10 ), which is located inside the vacuum chamber ( 32 ), unfolds, and at least one fixing means ( 22 ) which fixes the aligned package ( 10 ).
1. An apparatus for aligning a package ( 10 ), comprising
at least one openable and closeable vacuum chamber ( 32 ),
a mechanism to feed packages into the open vacuum chamber ( 32 ),
a mechanism to create a vacuum in the closed vacuum chamber ( 32 ),
whereby a package ( 10 ) with a folded-in flap that has been moved into the open vacuum chamber ( 32 ) via the feed mechanism ( 20 ) aligns itself due to the vacuum created in the closed vacuum chamber ( 32 ) to be an aligned package with the flap being unfolded,
the vacuum chamber further having at least one fixing means ( 22 ) for fixing the aligned package ( 10 ) by grasping the unfolded flap, and
a mechanism to feed the aligned package ( 10 ) out of the open vacuum chamber ( 32 ) to a package opening device ( 40 ) for opening of the package ( 10 ).
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the fixing means ( 22 ) is movably configured.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the fixing means ( 22 ) tensions the aligned package ( 10 ).
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the fixing means ( 22 ) comprises at least one of a clamping plate, a guide, and a roller.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the fixing means ( 22 ) comprises at least two clamping plates, which are movable relative to each other.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the vacuum chamber ( 32 ) has a ventilation connection ( 26 ), via which a gas can be fed to the vacuum chamber ( 32 ).
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the gas that can be fed to the vacuum chamber ( 32 ) is sterile.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the package opening device ( 40 ) is provided such that the aligned package ( 10 ) is fed to the package opening device ( 40 ) while retaining the action of the fixing means ( 22 ).
9. A method for aligning packages comprising:
opening a vacuum chamber ( 32 );
moving at least one package ( 10 ) along a feed ( 20 ) into the vacuum chamber ( 32 ), the package ( 10 ) having a folded-in flap,
closing the vacuum chamber;
applying a vacuum in the vacuum chamber ( 32 ), so that the package ( 10 ) is at least partially inflated and aligns itself to be an aligned package with the flap being unfolded due to the vacuum generated in the vacuum chamber; and
grasping the unfolded flap.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9 , characterized in that the unfolded flap is grasped with at least one of a clamping plate, a guide, and a roller.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10 , characterized in that the grasping of the unfolded flap of the aligned package ( 10 ) is released for the removal of the aligned package ( 10 ) from the vacuum chamber ( 32 ).
12. The method as claimed in claim 9 , characterized in that the aligned package ( 10 ) is tensioned in an aligned state.
13. The method as claimed in claim 9 , characterized in that a vacuum is applied in the form of a vacuum shock.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the vacuum shock has a duration of about 1-2 seconds.
15. The method as claimed in claim 9 , characterized in that the aligned package ( 10 ) is opened.
16. The method as claimed in claim 9 , characterized in that the vacuum chamber ( 32 ) is ventilated.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the vacuum chamber ( 32 ) is ventilated with disinfected gas.